Drug eluting lead systems

ABSTRACT

Medical electrical lead systems and related methods are described. The lead systems may be configured to be at least partially implanted in neural tissue of a subject, such as a brain of a subject. Some variations of the lead systems may comprise a lead body, an electrode connected to the lead body, and a bioactive agent. The electrode and/or lead body may comprise a substrate, and the bioactive agent may be supported by the substrate (e.g., by a substantial portion of the area of the substrate). Methods described herein may comprise contacting the substrate of a lead body and/or an electrode of a medical electrical lead system with at least one bioactive agent, where the lead body and the electrode are connected to each other.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/871,865, filed Aug. 30, 2010, now pending, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/704,549, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,844,345 and issued Nov. 30, 2010. Each patent application identified above is incorporated here by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The methods and devices described herein relate generally to the field of medical electrical lead systems. More specifically, the methods and devices described herein relate to medical electrical lead systems for treatment of neural tissue, such as brain tissue, where the lead systems include at least one bioactive agent and/or are configured to provide a therapeutic effect to the neural tissue. The methods and devices described herein may have particular utility in the area of treatment of neurological disorders.

BACKGROUND

Neurological disorders are prevalent in the United States and around the rest of the world, with millions of people suffering from various types of neurological disorders of varying severity. A person who has a neurological disorder may be substantially debilitated, and may experience a significant decline in quality of life.

One example of a neurological disorder is epilepsy, which is characterized by the occurrence of seizures. Because epilepsy is characterized by seizures, its sufferers can be limited in the kinds of activities in which they may participate. For example, an epileptic may have limited or no ability to drive, work, or participate in recreational activities. Some epilepsy sufferers have serious seizures with such high frequency that they are effectively incapacitated. Additionally, in some cases, epilepsy is progressive, and can be associated with degenerative disorders and conditions. Over time, epileptic seizures may become more frequent and serious, and in particularly severe cases, may lead to the deterioration of other brain functions, as well as physical impairment.

Drug therapy and surgery are examples of current methods that may be used to treat epilepsy. Various antiepileptic drugs are available, and may be administered, for example, at the onset of pre-seizure symptoms or auras, to mitigate the effects of epilepsy. Surgical procedures include radical surgical resections, such as hemispherectomies, corticectomies, lobectomies and partial lobectomies, as well as less radical procedures, including lesionectomies, transections, and stereotactic ablation. An additional procedure that may be used to treat epilepsy is electrical stimulation, in which seizures may be treated and/or terminated by applying electrical stimulation to the brain. Typically, the detection and responsive treatment of seizures via electrical stimulation can include analysis of electroencephalogram (EEG) waveforms and electrocorticogram (ECoG) waveforms. An EEG waveform includes signals representing aggregate neuronal activity potentials detectable via electrodes applied to a patient's scalp, and/or signals obtained from deep in a patient's brain via depth electrodes and the like. An ECoG waveform includes signals obtained from internal electrodes near the cortex of the brain (generally on or under the dura mater), and/or brain signals from deeper structures.

Generally, it is preferable to detect and treat a seizure at or near its inception, or even before it has begun. The beginning of a seizure, or an onset, may be a clinical onset or an electrographic onset. A clinical onset represents the beginning of a seizure as manifested through observable clinical symptoms, such as involuntary muscle movements or neurophysiological effects such as lack of responsiveness. An electrographic onset, which typically occurs before a clinical onset and which may enable intervention before the patient suffers symptoms, refers to the beginning of detectable electrographic activity indicative of a seizure.

Epilepsy is only one example of a neurological disorder. Additional examples of neurological disorders include movement disorders (e.g., Parkinson's disease), psychiatric disorders, sleep disorders, and language disorders. As briefly discussed above, these and other neurological disorders can severely disrupt a person's quality of life. Thus, it would be preferable to provide devices and methods that may be used to provide drugs and/or other bioactive agents to a target site to treat a neurological disorder.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Described here are medical electrical lead systems for treatment of neurological disorders, as well as related methods. The lead systems may be configured to be at least partially implanted in a body of a subject. For example, the lead systems may be configured to be at least partially implanted into neural tissue, such as brain tissue. The lead systems may be used to release one or more bioactive agents, such as therapeutic agents, into the body of the subject. These bioactive agents may be released in conjunction with the application of other treatment methods, such as electrostimulation, or may be released independently of any other treatment methods.

The lead systems generally comprise a lead body, an electrode that is connected to the lead body, and at least one bioactive agent. The electrode and/or lead body comprises a substrate, and the bioactive agent is supported by the substrate. In some variations, the bioactive agent may be supported by a substantial portion of the area of the substrate.

The methods include methods of using lead systems. Some variations of the methods comprise at least partially implanting a lead system in neural tissue of a subject, such as a brain of a subject. In certain variations, the lead system comprises a lead body, an electrode connected to the lead body, and at least one bioactive agent. The electrode and/or lead body comprises a substrate, and the bioactive agent is supported by the substrate. In some variations, the bioactive agent may be supported by a substantial portion of the area of the substrate. In certain variations in which the lead system is at least partially implanted in neural tissue, the result may be the formation of at least one microlesion in the neural tissue. In such variations, at least one of the lead body and the electrode may include a bioactive agent that is adapted to inhibit neuronal regeneration and/or neuronal reconnection. Alternatively, a bioactive agent that is adapted to encourage glial proliferation and/or healing of microlesions may be used in the lead systems for certain applications.

A lead system may include just one bioactive agent or multiple bioactive agents. In some variations, a lead system may include a substrate and a bioactive agent that contacts the substrate, such as a bioactive agent that is in the form of a coating on the substrate. The bioactive agent may comprise an antiproliferative agent, a bactericidal agent, a bacteriostatic agent, an antiepileptic agent, an antifungal agent, or any other appropriate bioactive agent. Examples of antiproliferative agents that may be used as bioactive agents here include antiproliferative agents that are capable of limiting or preventing glial encapsulation (e.g., of a lead body and/or an electrode), as well as other types of antiproliferative agents. Specific examples of antiproliferative agents include bone morphogenic proteins, ciliary neurotrophic factor, ribavirin, sirolimus, mycophenolate, mofetil, azathioprine, paclitaxel, and cyclophosphamide. Examples of bactericidal and/or bacteriostatic agents that may be used in the lead systems described herein include quinolone, fluoroquinolone, beta-lactam, aminoglycoside, penicillin, macrolide, monobactam, lincosamide, tetracycline, cephalosporin, lipopeptide, streptogramin, carbapenem, sulfonamide, aminoglycoside, oxalodinone, nitrofuran, ketolide, glycylcycline families of antibiotics, and silver ions. Examples of antiepileptic agents that may be used in the lead systems include acetazolamide, carbamazepine, clonazepam, clorazepate, diazepam, divalproex, ethosuximide, ethotoin, felbamate, fosphenytoin, gabapentin, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, mephobarbital, methsuximide, oxcarbazepine, phenacemide, phenobarbital, phenytoin, pregabalin, primidone, thiopental, tiagabine, topiramate, trimethadione, valproate, zonisamide, and tetrodotoxin. Additionally, examples of antifungal agents that may be appropriate for use in the lead systems include amphotericin B, anidulafungin, butenafine, butoconazole, caspofungin, ciclopirox, clioquinol, econazole, fluconazole, flucytosine, griseofulvin, traconazole, ketoconazole, micafungin, miconazole, naftifine, natamycin, nystatin, oxiconazole, sulconazole, sulfanilamide, terbinafine, terconazole, undecylenic, and voriconazole. Other types of bioactive agents may also be used.

In certain variations, the lead systems may include a substrate, a bioactive agent, and a material that is supported by the substrate and that is different from the bioactive agent. The bioactive agent may be encapsulated within the material, or the material may be in the form of a layer over the bioactive agent. In some variations, the bioactive agent may be in the form of a layer over the material. The material may be, for example, silicone or a hydrogel. In variations in which the material is silicone, the density of the silicone can be manipulated to modulate the elution characteristics of the silicone. As the elution characteristics of the silicone change, the rate of bioactive agent release from the silicone also can change.

In certain variations, the material may be bioerodible. In other words, the material may be bioabsorbable, such that the body absorbs the material, and/or biodegradable, such that the body degrades and eventually excretes the material. For example, the material may comprise a bioerodible polyanhydride or polyanhydride compound. Examples of bioerodible polyanhydrides and polyanhydride compounds include fatty acid-terminated polyanhydrides, poly(fatty acid dimer), copolymers of poly(sebacic acid) and fatty acid, and copolymers of dimer fatty acids. Specific examples of bioerodible polyanhydrides and polyanhydride compounds include poly[1,3-bis(carboxyphenoxy)propane-co-sebacic-acid], poly(fumaric acid), poly(sebacic acid), poly(erucic acid dimer), copolymers of fumaric acid and sebacic acid, poly(sebacic-co-ricinoleic acid maleate), poly(sebacic-co-ricinoleic acid succinate), and poly(sebacic-co-12-hydroxystearic acid succinate).

Some variations of the lead systems may include at least one polymer, such as a bioerodible polymer, that is supported by the substrate. Examples of polymers that may be included in the lead systems include poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiopene) (PEDOT) and poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiopene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). In certain variations, the bioactive agent may be dispersed throughout, and/or encapsulated within, the polymer. In some variations, the polymer may be in the form of a layer over the bioactive agent. In certain variations, the bioactive agent may be in the form of a layer over the polymer.

A lead system may include just one electrode or a plurality of electrodes (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, eight, or ten electrodes) that are connected to its lead body. Some variations of lead systems may include at least two electrodes, each of which comprises a substrate supporting a bioactive agent. The substrates of the electrodes may be formed of the same or different materials, and the bioactive agents may be the same as each other or different from each other.

Some of the methods described here are methods of making lead systems. Certain variations of these methods comprise coating an electrode and/or a lead body of a medical electrical lead system with at least one bioactive agent, where the electrode and the lead body are connected to each other. Some variations of the methods may comprise coating a substantial portion of the area of the electrode and/or lead body with the bioactive agent. Certain variations of the lead systems may be configured to release at least one bioactive agent when the lead systems are at least partially implanted in neural tissue of a subject. In some variations in which a lead system includes both a bioactive agent and a bioerodible material that is different from the bioactive agent, erosion of the bioerodible material, when the lead system is at least partially implanted in neural tissue of a subject, may result in the release of the bioactive agent into the neural tissue of the subject. Coating methods that may be used in the methods described herein include vapor deposition (e.g., physical vapor deposition), ionic plasma deposition, spraying, and/or dipping, as well as other methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a cranium of a subject, showing an implantable neurostimulation device as implanted, and a medical electrical lead system connected to the implantable neurostimulation device and extending to the brain of the subject.

FIG. 2 is a partial top view of the device and lead system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a side view of a portion of a medical electrical lead system.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the portion of the lead system of FIG. 3A, taken along line 3B-3B.

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the portion of the lead system of FIG. 3B, taken along line 3C-3C.

FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view of the portion of the lead system of FIG. 3B, taken along line 3D-3D.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart representation of a method of using a lead system in a body of a subject.

FIG. 5A is a top view of a portion of a medical electrical lead system.

FIG. 5B is a side cross-sectional view of the lead system of FIG. 5A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described here are devices and related methods for treating neurological disorders with one or more bioactive agents. The devices generally are medical electrical lead systems including a lead body and at least one electrode that is connected to the lead body. The lead systems can further include at least one bioactive agent, and/or can be configured to provide a therapeutic effect to neural tissue in the central and/or peripheral nervous systems. In some variations of the lead systems, at least one of the electrode and the lead body comprises a substrate that supports a bioactive agent. For example, the bioactive agent may be in the form of a coating on the substrate. In such variations, the lead systems may be used to deliver the bioactive agent to a target site, such as neural tissue (e.g., brain tissue). The bioactive agent may be dispersed throughout, and/or encapsulated by, one or more other materials on the substrate, such as a polymer coating. The lead systems may be configured to provide a continuous supply of bioactive agent to a target site over a period of time. Furthermore, the lead systems may be connected to one or more implantable medical devices, such as electrostimulation and/or recording devices, which allow the lead systems to provide other treatments in addition to the bioactive agent treatment.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows an implantable medical device 110, such as an electrostimulation device, affixed to a cranium 114 of a subject by way of a ferrule 116. Ferrule 116 is a structural member that is adapted to fit into a cranial opening, attach to the cranium, and retain device 110. One example of a method that may be used to implant device 110 and affix it to cranium 114 includes performing a craniotomy in the parietal bone (not shown) anterior to the lamboid suture 112 to define an opening 118 slightly larger than device 110. Ferrule 116 is then inserted into opening 118 and affixed to cranium 114. Thereafter, device 110 is inserted into, and affixed to, ferrule 116. The presence of ferrule 116 may, for example, help to ensure that device 110 is tightly and securely implanted.

As shown in FIG. 1, device 110 includes an outer housing 126, and a lead connector 120 configured to receive one or more electrical lead systems. Housing 126 may provide protection to the components of device 110, and may be formed of, for example, one or more metals, such as titanium. Additionally, housing 126 may enclose a battery and any electronic circuitry that may be required or desired to provide device 110 with its functionality. In some variations, a telemetry coil may be located in the interior of device 110, or may be provided outside of housing 126 and integrated with lead connector 120, to facilitate communication between device 110 and external devices.

In FIG. 1, lead connector 120 is connected to a lead body 122 of a medical electrical lead system 200 (shown in FIG. 2). Lead body 122 extends through a burr hole 124 or other opening in cranium 114. Though not shown, in FIG. 2, the portion of lead body 122 that extends past burr hole 124 is coupled to four electrodes that are implanted into a desired location in the subject's brain. If the length of lead body 122 is substantially greater than the distance between device 110 and burr hole 124, then any excess may be urged into a configuration, such as an uncoiled configuration, that consolidates the excess lead body (e.g., under the scalp). In some variations, burr hole 124 may be sealed after implantation to limit or prevent further movement by lead system 200. This sealing may be provided, for example, by affixing a burr hole cover apparatus to cranium 114 at least partially within burr hole 124. Burr hole sealing is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,124, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Lead connector 120 helps to secure lead body 122 to device 110. Lead connector 120 also facilitates electrical connection between circuitry within device 110 and one or more conductors in lead body 122. The conductors, in turn, are coupled to the electrodes. Lead connector 120 may accomplish the above-described functions in a substantially fluid-tight environment and in a biocompatible manner.

In general, device 110 may be used to treat one or more neurological disorders. For example, device 110 may treat epilepsy by detecting epileptiform activity or an electrographic seizure from the brain, and applying neurostimulation to the brain. A device such as device 110 may be able to both sense epileptiform activity, and provide electrical stimulation to the brain in response. However, in some variations, separate devices may be used for monitoring brain activity and applying electrical stimulation or neurostimulation. Brain activity may be detected, for example, by comparing ongoing activity to typical epileptiform activity, including identifying characteristics of epileptiform activity or an electrographic seizure from ongoing brain activity. Once activity is detected, stimulation may be applied to the affected region. Additional stimulation to secondary brain regions may also be applied.

As described above, device 110 may be an electrostimulation device or neurostimulation device. Neurostimulation devices are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,353,065 issued Apr. 1, 2008 for “Responsive Therapy for Psychiatric Disorders” to Morrell and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0077191, published Mar. 27, 2008 for “Treatment of Language, Behavior and Social Disorders” to Morrell, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Other examples of implantable medical devices include recording devices. Moreover, in some variations, an implantable medical device may be configured to detect and/or respond to neurological activity other than epileptiform activity. Non-limiting examples of such neurological activity include activity associated with movement disorders, psychiatric disorders, sleep disorders, language disorders, migraine headaches, and/or chronic pain. While an implantable medical device such as device 110 may have a therapeutic function, some or all of the actions performed by a medical device used in conjunction with a lead system may not be therapeutic. For example, the actions may involve data recording or transmission, providing warnings to the subject, or any of a number of alternative actions. In some variations, a neurostimulation device may not be a single device, but may be a system of component devices. Thus, a neurostimulation device may also function as a diagnostic device, and may be interfaced with external equipment.

While device 110 is shown as being affixed to cranium 114, devices may be positioned in any of a number of different places either within or outside of a body of a subject. For example, in some variations, a device may be implanted under a subject's scalp, but external to the subject's cranium. In certain variations (e.g., when it is not possible to implant a device intracranially), a device may be implanted pectorally, with leads extending through the subject's neck and between the subject's cranium and scalp, as necessary. Any other suitable positions for a device may also be used.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of a portion of device 110, as well as lead system 200 including the lead body 122 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, in addition to including lead body 122, which has a proximal end 211 and a distal end 212, lead system 200 also includes multiple cylindrical electrodes 204, 206, 208, and 210. Electrodes 204, 206, 208, and 210 are located at distal end 212 of lead body 122, and are connected to conductors (not shown) embedded within the lead body. The connection between the electrodes and the conductors allows electrical stimulation to be transmitted from device 110 to the brain of the subject. The electrodes of lead system 200 may be configured, for example, to sense brain activity, to apply neurostimulation, and/or to record brain signals.

FIGS. 3A-3D show a distal portion of another variation of a medical electrical lead system. As shown there, a medical electrical lead system 300 includes a lead body 302 and multiple cylindrical electrodes 304, 306, 308, and 310 that are connected to the lead body at its distal end 312. Four conductors 314, 316, 318, and 320 (the positioning of which is shown in FIG. 3D) are embedded within lead body 302 and are connected to the electrodes. The conductors provide electrical connection between the electrodes and circuitry within a device that is connected to the lead system during use, such as an implantable electrostimulation device. While electrodes 304, 306, 308, and 310 are shown as being ring-shaped, electrodes having other shapes, such as disc-shaped electrodes, may alternatively or additionally be used in lead systems. Lead system 300 further includes a coating 322 over the cylindrical electrodes and portions of the lead body. Coating 322 includes one or more bioactive agents. During use of lead system 300, the bioactive agents in coating 322 may be released into the body of the subject and may, for example, provide a therapeutic effect.

A coating such as coating 322 may be formed of any of a number of different biocompatible materials. In some variations, a coating on a lead system may be formed simply of one or more bioactive agents. In certain variations, a coating on a lead system may include one or more bioactive agents in combination with one or more other materials, such as silicone. The bioactive agents may, for example, be dispersed throughout, or encapsulated by, the other materials. Moreover, in some variations, the other materials may form one or more coatings over the bioactive agents, and/or the bioactive agents may form one or more coatings over the other materials.

Examples of other materials that may be used in a coating on a lead system include polymers, such as electrically conductive polymers. In variations in which a coating includes one or more electrically conductive polymers, the electrically conductive polymers may enhance the electrical connection between a target site in the body of a subject, and the electrodes and conductors of the lead system. Examples of polymers that may be included in a coating on a lead system include poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiopene) and poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiopene) poly(styrenesulfonate). Other polymers may also be appropriate.

In certain variations, one or more bioerodible materials may be used in a coating on a lead system. As the bioerodible materials erode in the body, they may provide controlled release of a bioactive agent or agents. Examples of bioerodible materials include bioerodible polyanhydrides and polyanhydride compounds. Examples of bioerodible polyanhydrides and polyanhydride compounds include fatty acid-terminated polyanhydrides, poly(fatty acid dimer), copolymers of poly(sebacic acid) and fatty acid, and copolymers of dimer fatty acids. Specific examples of bioerodible polyanhydrides and polyanhydride compounds include poly[1,3-bis(carboxyphenoxy)propane-co-sebacic-acid], poly(fumaric acid), poly(sebacic acid), poly(erucic acid dimer), copolymers of fumaric acid and sebacic acid, poly(sebacic-co-ricinoleic acid maleate), poly(sebacic-co-ricinoleic acid succinate), and poly(sebacic-co-12-hydroxystearic acid succinate).

Further examples of materials that may be used in a coating include porous materials, such as hydrogels. The materials may, for example, have a pore volume percent of from about 10 to about 100 nanometers. Such porous materials may be used to deliver one or more bioactive agents to a target site over a sustained period of time. For example, a bioactive agent may elute from a hydrogel coating over a period of about one to ten days. Other bioerodible materials or non-bioerodible materials may alternatively or additionally be used, as deemed appropriate.

While a lead system with one coating has been described, lead systems may have multiple coatings, such as two, three, four, five, or ten coatings. Some or all of the coatings may include the same materials and/or bioactive agents, or some or all of the coatings may include different materials and/or bioactive agents. The bioactive agent or agents that are used in a particular coating may be selected, for example, based on the anticipated position of that coating once the lead system has been implanted at a target site. Lead systems may include lead bodies and/or electrodes that are entirely coated, or may include lead bodies and/or electrodes having coated regions and uncoated regions. Moreover, a lead system may include just one coating layer, or may include multiple layers of coatings.

The bioactive agents that are delivered to a target site from a lead system may be any of a number of different types of bioactive agents, depending on the disorder or disorders which are desired to be treated.

As an example, for treatment of epilepsy, one or more of the bioactive agents typically would include an antiepileptic agent. Examples of antiepileptic agents include acetazolamide, carbamazepine, clonazepam, clorazepate, benzodiazepine derivatives (e.g., diazepam), divalproex, ethosuximide, ethotoin, felbamate, fosphenytoin, gabapentin, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, mephobarbital, methsuximide, oxcarbazepine, phenacemide, phenobarbital, phenytoin, pregabalin, primidone, thiopental, tiagabine, topiramate, trimethadione, valproate, vigabatrin, zonisamide, tetrodotoxin, allopregnanolone, and ganaxolone.

Additional examples of bioactive agents include antiproliferative agents, bactericidal agents, bacteriostatic agents, antifungal agents, etc.

Examples of antiproliferative agents include antiproliferative agents that are capable of limiting or preventing glial encapsulation of the substrates on which the antiproliferative agents are coated. For example, the antiproliferative agents may be used to limit or prevent glial encapsulation of at least one of the lead body and the electrode or electrodes of a lead system. Limitation of glial activity and/or proliferation may, for example, enhance electrical connectivity between electrodes and neural tissue in which the electrodes are implanted. Other types of antiproliferative agents may also be used. Specific examples of antiproliferative agents include bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNF), ribavirin, sirolimus (also known as rapamycin), mycophenolate, mofetil, azathioprine, paclitaxel, and cyclophosphamide.

Bactericidal and/or bacteriostatic agents, as well as antifungal agents, may be used, for example, to limit post-operative risk of infection. Examples of bactericidal and/or bacteriostatic agents include quinolone, fluoroquinolone, beta-lactam, aminoglycoside, penicillin, macrolide, monobactam, lincosamide, tetracycline, cephalosporin, lipopeptide, streptogramin, carbapenem, sulfonamide, aminoglycoside, oxalodinone, nitrofuran, ketolide, glycylcycline families of antibiotics, and silver ions. Examples of antifungal agents include amphotericin B, anidulafungin, butenafine, butoconazole, caspofungin, ciclopirox, clioquinol, econazole, fluconazole, flucytosine, griseofulvin, traconazole, ketoconazole, micafungin, miconazole, naftifine, natamycin, nystatin, oxiconazole, sulconazole, sulfanilamide, terbinafine, terconazole, undecylenic, and voriconazole.

Other examples of bioactive agents include benzodiazapenes and barbiturates. In some variations, cancer drugs such as antineoplastics may be used as bioactive agents (e.g., to inhibit cellular proliferation). In certain variations, the bioactive agents that are used in a lead system may be adapted to promote neural adhesion. For example, the bioactive agents may be cell adhesion molecules. Other examples of bioactive agents include plasmids, linear DNA or RNA fragments, other DNA- or RNA-based molecules, and growth factors. These bioactive agents may be used, for example, to induce a desired neural, glial, and/or immune response. Still further examples of bioactive agents include cells, such as living cells that have been biologically manipulated, engineered cells, and cells of a particular phenotype. For example, a lead system may include a layer of cells. The types of cells that are used can be selected based on the desired effect. In some cases, electrical stimulation may be used to cause the cells to release desired neurotransmitters. Additional examples of bioactive agents include neurotrophic factors and neuropeptides, proteins exhibiting bioactive activity, glycans, and enzymes (e.g., enzymes that help metabolize glutamate).

Moreover, while certain bioactive agents described herein have been described as treating certain disorders, the bioactive agents described herein may be able to treat more than one type of disorder or condition. As an example, tetrodotoxin may be used to treat disorders other than epilepsy. Generally, the bioactive agents described herein may be employed when they can provide any function that is desirable and/or useful.

Still further examples of bioactive agents that may be used include bioactive agents that treat motor disorders (e.g., Parkinson's disease, dystonia, or tremors such as essential tremor), psychiatric disorders (e.g., bipolar disorder or depression, such as major depression disorder), language disorders, sleep disorders, and Tourette's syndrome. These are merely examples of different types of bioactive agents. Any other bioactive agents suitable for treating neurological disorders or other disorders of the body, or for providing other benefits, such as preventive care, may be used with the lead systems described herein as appropriate. For example, in some variations, bioactive agents having anti-inflammatory properties, such as steroids, may be used. Anti-inflammatory agents may advantageously limit the extent of inflammation resulting from, for example, the process of implanting electrodes into and/or upon neural tissue. The process of implantation may include mechanically and chemically manipulating the neural tissue in such a way as to cause inflammation which, in turn, may produce edema and swelling. As a result, the time for application of needed therapy may be delayed. Accordingly, providing one or more anti-inflammatory agents to the neural tissue may be desirable.

In certain variations, bioactive agents that may typically exhibit central nervous system (CNS) or systemic side effects, difficult deliverability, and/or unfavorable pharmacokinetics may be used with the lead systems described herein (e.g., because the lead systems may deliver the bioactive agents directly to a target location relatively efficiently).

Some bioactive agents may be used to facilitate neurostimulation. The bioactive agents may be delivered to neural tissue in conjunction with, prior to, and/or after, neurostimulation of the neural tissue. Examples of bioactive agents that may be used to facilitate neurostimulation include carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, and phenytoin. These bioactive agents may inhibit rapid firing, and may preferentially encourage a depolarization-block response to high-frequency neurostimulation (rather than a neural-firing response). Additional examples of bioactive agents that may be used to facilitate neurostimulation include glutamate-blocking agents such as lamotrigine and topiramate. These glutamate-blocking agents may diminish excitatory effects of neurostimulation. Further examples of bioactive agents that may be used to facilitate neurostimulation include GABAergic agents, such as topiramate, allopregnanolone, ganaxolone, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, tiagabine, or other agents which potentiate inhibition and which may be expected to potentiate inhibitory effects of neurostimulation.

Certain bioactive agents may be adapted to facilitate the recording of one or more signals from a brain of a subject, and thus may be used to enhance a recording procedure. These bioactive agents may also be delivered to neural tissue in conjunction with, prior to, and/or after, recording. Examples of bioactive agents that may facilitate recording (and that may also facilitate neurostimulation) include agents that limit or prevent an inflammatory response, and thereby also limit or prevent undesirable physical changes to the electrode-tissue interface. Examples of such bioactive agents include anti-inflammatory agents, antiproliferative agents (e.g., bone morphogenic proteins, ciliary neurotrophic factor, ribavirin, sirolimus, mycophenolate, mofetil, azathioprine, paclitaxel, and cyclophosphamide), and anti-gliotic agents. In some variations, one or more bioactive agents that facilitate brain signal recording may be delivered to neural tissue over a relatively long period of time, and may have a cumulative effect on the neural tissue.

In some variations, a lead system may include one or more bioactive agents that are adapted to inhibit neuronal regeneration and/or neuronal reconnection. When the lead system is at least partially implanted into neural tissue, it may form at least one microlesion in the neural tissue. The bioactive agents may be used to at least temporarily maintain that microlesion. It is believed that, in some instances and/or under certain circumstances, microlesions may result in a decreased occurrence of seizures. Thus, it may be desirable in some cases to purposefully maintain microlesions in neural tissue. By contrast, in certain cases, it may be desirable to enhance the healing of microlesions, as they may result in post-traumatic epileptiform activity. By using bioactive agents that hasten the healing of microlesions, the occurrence of seizures shortly after surgery may be limited.

Electrodes such as electrodes 304, 306, 308, and 310 described above may be configured, for example, to sense brain activity, to apply neurostimulation, and/or to record brain signals. Electrodes may be formed of any of a number of different materials. Examples of electrode materials include titanium, platinum, platinum alloyed with iridium, titanium nitride, iridium oxide, no nickel stainless steels, conductive organic materials (e.g., solid carbon), silicon, and/or any other materials and combinations of materials that are known to be suitable for use in electrodes. In certain variations, an electrode may be a semiconductor electrode. Furthermore, in some variations, a lead system may include one or more optical electrodes, or optodes, that are configured to optically measure signals. In such variations, the optodes may also be used to monitor bioactive agent levels at a target site. In certain variations, an electrode may be formed of one or more sintered metal materials, and may serve as a reservoir for a bioactive agent. The bioactive agent may be released from the reservoir through pores or holes in the sintered metal materials. In some variations, the sintered electrode may be back-filled with a material, such as a hydrogel or a rubber, that is compounded with one or more bioactive agents. The bioactive agents may then be released from the hydrogel or rubber and through pores or holes in the sintered metal materials.

Referring back to FIG. 2, electrodes 204, 206, 208, and 210 are located at distal end 212 of lead body 122. However, some variations of lead systems may alternatively or additionally include one or more electrodes that are located proximal to the distal end of the lead body. The locations of the electrodes of a lead system may be selected based on, for example, the characteristics of the target site.

A lead body such as lead body 122 may be formed of any of a number of different materials. In certain variations, a lead body may be substantially formed of one or more insulating materials. In some variations, a lead body may be formed of one or more polymers, such as polyurethanes, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyesters, and polyamides (e.g., nylon). In certain variations, a lead body may be formed of silicone.

While lead systems including four conductive wires have been shown, lead systems may include any number of conductive wires, such as one, two, three, four, five, or ten conductive wires. One or more of the wires may extend straight through the side wall of a lead body, and/or may wind or coil within the lead body. In some variations, the conductive wires themselves may be coated or sheathed within a non-conductive and/or protective material, such as silicone, polyurethane, or polyethylene.

In certain variations, the dimensions of a lead system may be selected to provide the lead system with a relatively low profile. This low profile may prevent the lead system from being easily visible from the outside when the lead system is implanted within a subject's head (e.g., so that the lead system does not form a protrusion on the subject's head). Such lead systems may, for example, include one or more relatively thin coatings, the thinness of which generally will depend on the particular type of coating that is used. For example, if the coating is formed from titanium nitrate (TiN), iridium oxide (IrOx), or platinum iridium (PtIr), the thinness of the coating may be on the order of three to twenty microns.

Various methods may be employed to deliver one or more bioactive agents to a target site within a body of a subject, using one of the lead systems described herein. FIG. 4 provides a flowchart representation of one variation of such a method 400. As shown there, method 400 includes at least partially implanting a lead system in a brain of a subject 410. The lead system includes a lead body, at least one electrode, and a coating including at least one bioactive agent. The lead system also is connected to an implantable medical device. The lead system may be entirely implanted in the brain of the subject, or at least one of its components may be located outside of the brain of the subject. The implantable medical device may be partially or entirely implanted into the head of the subject, such as intracranially in the subject's parietal bone, in a location anterior to the lambdoid suture (as described, for example, with reference to FIG. 1 above).

After the lead system has been at least partially implanted in the brain of the subject, the medical device is activated 420. The medical device may be configured, for example, to sense brain activity, such as epileptic activity. Method 400 further includes allowing bioactive agent to be released from the coating on the lead system and out into the brain of the subject 430. The bioactive agent may be released over a relatively short period of time or over a relatively long period of time, depending on the intended or desired effect of the agent and/or on the particular characteristics or properties of the agent being used. For some intended effects with some agents, a relatively short period of time may be one day. For other intended effects with other agents, a relatively long period of time may be ten days. Another method that might be used to deliver one or more bioactive agents to a target site within a body of a subject, using one of the lead systems described herein, include the application of electroporation to cause a desired effect or effects with the agents.

While a lead system comprising a depth lead has been described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3A-3D above, other types of lead systems, such as branched depth electrodes and two-dimensional electrode arrays, may include one or more bioactive agents. For example, and referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a lead system 500 includes a lead body 502 and an enlarged end portion 504 at the distal end 514 of the lead system. Enlarged end portion 504 includes four disc electrodes 506, 508, 510, and 512 encapsulated in a coating 516. Coating 516 includes one or more bioactive agents that may be released into a target site when lead system 500 is being used. A conductor 518 is embedded within lead body 502 and runs along the length of the lead body, electrically connecting the electrodes to a medical device. Lead system 500 is a cortical strip lead, and may, for example, be positioned on a surface of brain tissue during use.

Lead systems that are directly connected to neurostimulation devices have been described here. However, in certain variations, a lead system may be indirectly connected to an implantable medical device. For example, a lead system may be wirelessly connected to an implantable medical device.

While the methods and devices have been described in some detail here by way of illustration and example, such illustration and example is for purposes of clarity of understanding only. It will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings herein that certain changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A medical electrical lead system configured so that a distal portion thereof may be implanted in or adjacent neural tissue of a subject, the medical electrical lead system comprising: a lead body with a proximal portion and a distal portion; an electrode connected to the lead body and comprising a substrate at the distal portion, the substrate configured to be implanted; and at least one bioactive agent supported by a substantial portion of the area of the substrate, the at least one bioactive agent configured to inhibit neuronal regeneration or neural reconnection for a period of time when the substrate is implanted.
 2. The medical electrical lead system of claim 1, wherein the at least one bioactive agent is configured to inhibit neuronal regeneration in the area of one or more microlesions.
 3. The medical electrical lead system of claim 1, wherein the at least one bioactive agent is configured to inhibit neuronal reconnection in the area of one or more microlesions.
 4. The medical electrical lead system of claim 1, wherein the at least one bioactive agent is configured to inhibit neuronal regeneration or neuronal reconnection in the area of one or more microlesions which microlesions result from the procedure to implant the substrate.
 5. The medical electrical lead system of claim 1, wherein the period of time over which the at least one bioactive agent is configured to inhibit neuronal regeneration or neural reconnection is in the range of one to ten days.
 6. The medical electrical lead system of claim 1 wherein the at least one bioactive agent is at least one antiproliferative agent selected from the group consisting of bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNF), ribavarin, sirolimus or rapamycin, mycophenolate, mofetil, azathioprine, paclitaxel, and cyclophosphamide.
 7. The medical electrical lead system of claim 1 wherein the neural tissue is located in the brain.
 8. The medical electrical lead system of claim 1 wherein the lead system is configured so that the substrate may be located adjacent the neural tissue of the subject's brain when implanted.
 9. The medical electrical lead system of claim 1 wherein the lead system is configured so that the substrate may be located in the neural tissue of the subject's brain when implanted.
 10. A method comprising: at least partially implanting a lead system so that a distal portion thereof is implanted in or adjacent neural tissue of a subject, wherein the lead system comprises a substrate at the distal portion, an electrode connected to the lead body, and at least one bioactive agent configured to inhibit neuronal regeneration or neural reconnection for a period of time when the substrate is implanted, the at least one bioactive agent supported by the substrate.
 11. The method of claim 10 further including releasing the at least one bioactive agent in the area of the substrate over a period of time beginning at about the time of implant and extending for at least one day.
 12. The method of claim 11 further including maintaining at least one microlesion in the area of the substrate with the release of the at least one bioactive agent.
 13. The method of claim 10 further including forming at least one microlesion in the neural tissue in an area coinciding with or adjacent the implant location of the substrate.
 14. The method of claim 10 further including releasing the at least one bioactive agent from the lead system over a predetermined period of time.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the predetermined period of time begins at about the time of implant and extends to at least one day and up to about ten days.
 16. A medical electrical lead system configured so that a distal portion thereof may be implanted in or adjacent neural tissue of a subject, the medical electrical lead system comprising: a lead body with a proximal portion and a distal portion and further comprising a substrate at the distal portion; an electrode connected to the lead body; and at least one bioactive agent supported by the substrate of the lead body, the at least one bioactive agent configured to inhibit neuronal regeneration or neural reconnection for a period of time when the substrate is implanted in the neural tissue.
 17. The medical electrical lead system of claim 16 wherein the lead system is configured so that the substrate may be located adjacent the neural tissue of the subject's brain when implanted.
 18. The medical electrical lead system of claim 16 wherein the lead system is configured so that the substrate may be located in the neural tissue of the subject's brain when implanted. 